"Won't deter us": Himachal Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan dismisses "baseless criticism" of Jairam Thakur

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], January 18 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan has dismissed the allegations of former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Jairam Thakur, and said the charges were made only to gain publicity.
This comes after Jairam Thakur called the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government a "failure" and criticised the healthcare system and fulfilment of guarantees.
Chauhan countered these claims, asserting that Thakur's statements were unfounded and intended solely to gain publicity.
"Jairam Thakur's allegations are baseless. As the Leader of the Opposition, it is his moral responsibility to criticise the government; he will never appreciate our efforts. His accusations are merely a way to stay in the headlines," Chauhan said.
Talking about the healthcare sector, Chauhan highlighted the 'achievements' of the Congress-led government:
"Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has established model hospitals in all 68 assembly constituencies of Himachal Pradesh. Every hospital now has five specialist posts filled, including gynaecologists, orthopaedists, and specialists in other fields. Moreover, there is no shortage of medicines in the state," the Minister said.
He added, "The minister elaborated on the state's contributions to the Ayushman Bharat scheme, stating, 'Under Ayushman Bharat, treatment is being provided in our hospitals as well as private institutions. While Ayushman Bharat is a central government scheme, the Himachal government spends Rs125 crore annually, whereas the central government provides only Rs55 crore. This shows our commitment to ensuring healthcare for all."
The Himachal Minister further said that the cement prices are under control as compared to BJP's tenure. He also clarified that neither the central nor the state government controls cement prices, as they fall under free-market regulations.
"During the BJP's tenure from 2017 to 2022, cement prices increased by Rs130 per bag. In contrast, under our government, the price hike has been limited to Rs25 in two years. We will investigate the reasons behind this hike and make efforts to stabilise prices," he said.
He said that efforts are being made to boost the revenue of the state through a new mining policy. Chauhan highlighted the government's success in increasing revenue through a revised mining policy:
"Our mining policy has been instrumental in boosting revenue. In 2022-23, the revenue from mining was Rs200 crore, but under our policy, it has increased to Rs350 crore in just two years. We are also making efforts to curb illegal mining. A task force has been formed, and mining activities in the Una district have been suspended due to complaints of illegal operations," Chauhan said.
He added that the government is developing an online system to ensure transparency in mining operations, stating, "This system will not only streamline applications but also prevent revenue leakage and curb illegal mining." He also addressed major infrastructure and industrial projects, including the Medical Device Park and the Bulk Drug Park.
"Both projects, which existed only on paper during the BJP's tenure, are now progressing under the Congress government. Land acquisition and environmental clearances have been secured, and work on land development will commence soon. These projects are expected to attract Rs15,000 crore in investment and provide significant employment opportunities in Himachal Pradesh," Chauhan added.
The Himachal Minister also refuted claims that the state government was unable to pay employees, saying,
"It is misleading to say that treasury funds are not being disbursed. Just recently, Rs550 crore was released. Whether it's salaries, pensions, or funds for tourists, the government is ensuring timely payments," Chauhan said.
"Baseless criticism won't deter us." Chauhan emphasised the government's focus on self-reliance and sustainable development in Himachal Pradesh, stating, "Despite baseless allegations, our government is committed to making Himachal Pradesh self-reliant. We are working tirelessly to improve infrastructure, healthcare, and industry," he added. (ANI)